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It has been a hectic start to the new year for Chelsea. After a torrid run of form in December, the Blues’ owners decided to sack manager Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.

It was certainly a snap decision, and despite rumours, it seemed that there was a chance he might stay at the club.

But, it wasn’t to be the case, with the Italian removed from his post after winning two trophies in 2025, including the Club World Cup.

With under-21s manager Calum McFarlane set to take charge of the West Londoners against Manchester City this weekend, the search is now on for a new manager.

Well, rumours are already beginning to intensify about who that may be.

Chelsea’s candidates to replace Maresca

It seems that there is one name consistently coming up when it comes to Maresca’s replacement in the hotseat at Stamford Bridge. That man is Liam Rosenior, who is in charge of Chelsea’s sister club RC Strasbourg.

However, if a move for Rosenior doesn’t materialise, the club’s owners, BlueCo, could well cast the net further afield in their search for a new boss. According to BBC Sport, one of the names in contention is Porto manager Francesco Farioli.

The Italian, who is just 36 years of age, has ‘been mooted as a potential contender’ according to BBC reporters Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella.

He still has 18 months left on his contract, so it seems likely that Chelsea would have to pay compensation to bring him to West London.

Why Farioli would be an upgrade on Rosenior

Although Farioli has only been at Porto since July 2025, he has already made a fantastic start to life in Portugal. It comes after building up a good reputation in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, whom he managed for a season in 2023/24, prior to joining Ajax for 2024/25.

Indeed, the start Farioli has made in charge of the Portuguese giants has been impressive. In 26 matches so far across all competitions, the Italian, most often deploying a 4-3-3 formation, has led his side to 22 wins.

His side have dominated games, scoring 56 times and conceding just 13.

Farioli record at Porto (all comps)

Stat

Number

Preferred formation

4-3-3

Matches

26

Wins

22

Draws

2

Losses

2

Goals for

56

Goals against

13

Points per game (league only)

2.88

Stats from Transfermarkt

You can certainly draw comparisons between Farioli during his spell at Ajax and Maresca at Chelsea. Eif Soccer’s Marc Geschwind said the situations at each club were “so similar,” with both having to work with “incompetent management” in their old roles.

Indeed, things were tough at times for Maresca during his stint at the Bridge. There was a reported “lack of protection and interference leading to critical issues with ownership,” which Farioli might have to contend with.

His time at Ajax – which ended with a narrow title miss in the Eredivisie – might stand him in good stead, in that sense.

Rosenior, meanwhile, has done well at Strasburg during the 18 months he’s managed the club.

Last term, he guided Le Racing to seventh in Ligue 1, steering them to the Conference League and playing some excellent football along the way.

His record overall for the club is certainly impressive. In 62 games at the club so far, he’s won 32 and lost just 16 times.

Subscribe for insider Chelsea manager analysis and more Get deeper context on Chelsea’s managerial search by subscribing to the newsletter — tactical breakdowns of contenders like Farioli and Rosenior, data-driven comparisons, and practical implications for the club’s playing style and ambitions.

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The London-born manager has certainly done well in Ligue 1, and it would be a simple deal for the Blues to do, with Strasbourg being a BlueCo club.

However, it is perhaps less risky to appoint Farioli. Not only has he managed in Ligue 1, thus leaving him with similar experience to Rosenior, but the Italian’s work with Porto has shown he can dominate a league at the highest level.

That is, of course, the ultimate goal for Chelsea. They want to be a possession-heavy, free-flowing side who are able to keep things tight at the back. In a short few months in Portugal, Farioli has shown he can do that.

Rosenior might be the safe option. Yet, perhaps the Porto boss, who is more used to working under a stricter regime, has football that is more scalable to a top side, which Chelsea are hoping to be.

Related Dream Rosenior alternative: Chelsea considering the "best coach in the PL"

This manager could be Chelsea’s perfect Maresca replacement

Posts ByJoe Nuttall

Netherlands 107 (Burger 4-44) and 161 for 3 (ten Doeschate 47*) trail Namibia 337 by 69 runs
ScorecardSeventeen wickets fell on the second day of Namibia’s Intercontinental Cup match against Netherlands in Windhoek, as Namibia took complete control. After compiling 337, Namibia’s opening bowlers tore through Netherlands to dismiss them for 107, forcing them to follow-on. At stumps they had moved to 161 for 3, still trailing by 69 with two days to go.The day’s precedent was set in the first few overs. Namibia, resuming on 322 for 5, collapsed to 337 all out to lose their last five wickets in six overs. But their bowlers gained revenge, with Kola Burger and Louis Klazinga sharing seven wickets and helping to reduce Netherlands to 52 for 7. Their star batsman, Ryan ten Doeschate, made only 6, though Peter Borren (35 from 52) and Eric Szwarczynski (23) at least allowed Netherlands to pass 100 with some entertaining hitting. To further compound Netherlands’ fortunes, Pieter Seelaar was hit in the face by a bouncer from Gerrie Snyman and is not expected to play any further part in the match.At least Netherlands made a better fist of things in their second innings. Alexei Kervezee and Tom de Grooth both fell cheaply before Bas Zuiderent, their experienced No. 3, dropped anchor in a resilient 52. He shared in a third-wicket stand of 91 with ten Doeschate who remained unbeaten on 47. Only he can save Netherlands from a thumping defeat.

Shane Watson wishes he was playing through winter to ensure his body remains in shape © Getty Images

Many of Australia’s World Cup-winning cricketers are thankful for their four-month break from the game – Shane Watson is cursing it. Watson’s summer was so dominated by injuries that until his return late in the CB Series his season was almost a write-off. He finally got fit only to spend his winter in training, waiting to prove himself in a hectic 2007-08.On a dark, drizzly June day in Melbourne, Watson appeared out of place helping to launch Cricket Australia’s ticketing program for next season. He looks like a man built for action, one who should never be kept indoors. But just like a muscular, blond He-Man figurine, when he’s tested too vigorously in real-world conditions his limbs have a habit of falling apart.He eventually overcame his persistent hamstring problems and began finding form in the Caribbean only to be sidelined again, this time with a calf injury. When he played there were glimpses of brilliance – his 32-ball 65 against New Zealand at Grenada won over many unconvinced fans – but his winter lay-off has been awkward.”The way it worked out personally it’s not really ideal because I didn’t play too much cricket this summer,” Watson said. “But in a way it’s been excellent because I’ve been able to sit down with a few guys and work out the best way to train over this winter, to work out the reasons why things have been happening and then proceed to get them right.”It seemed there were almost daily updates on his hamstring last season and it was a lot of hype for a player who still has only three Tests to his name. Although his first-class batting average of 49.22 is attractive, Watson knows the time has come to justify the selectors’ faith in him with an extended and productive run in the team. He has set his sights on 18 months of injury-free cricket.”The [training] techniques that I’m doing will just be changed moderately,” he said. “It’s more just the resting between when I’m doing weights and things, which does make a big difference. The big goal for me is to get through 18 months. What I do, being an allrounder, definitely puts my body under a fair bit more pressure, bowling and batting.”His target would mean staying on the field from Australia’s opening tournament of 2007-08, the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September, through home series against Sri Lanka and India and a busy 2008 that will feature more than 20 Tests. Watson was in Australia’s Ashes plans last summer but his hamstring dramas allowed Andrew Symonds to grasp his chance at No. 6.Watson is therefore deadly serious about his aim to replace Justin Langer as Matthew Hayden’s opening partner, although much will hinge on where he bats with Queensland at the start of the domestic season. “There’s big opportunities there this summer,” Watson said. “Like anything you need to be performing at the right time and be fit at the right time to make the most of those opportunities.”I had a bit of a chat to Queensland at the end of last summer about the prospects of batting in the top order so they’re really keen to try and get the best out of me as well as the team. Hopefully that opportunity will come at the start of the year and I’ll be able to press my claims.”Watson has opened in Australia’s ODI line-up and has spent time at No. 3 and 4 in Pura Cup matches. He believes he is technically and mentally ready for the Australian top-order. “I batted high up in the order, No. 3, for Tasmania and did really well [making four centuries in 2003-04],” he said. “Opening and No. 3 can be – as everyone’s seen with David Boon, with Justin Langer – interchangeable.”Wherever he fits into Australia’s side, Watson is unquestionably in their long-term blueprint for success. For now, all he wants is 18 injury-free months to prove, to himself as much as anyone, that he deserves to be there. “To be able to have a good crack at it would be awesome,” he said, “for me to be able to see how good I can be at international level.”

Mohan de Silva, the opposition candidate standing for elections to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), has said that Dambulla will remain the venue for the tri-series against India and South Africa, if he becomes the president.”When we get elected, well make sure that matches take place according to the original schedule,” de Silva, who is running against interim head Jayantha Dharmadasa, told AFP. “Its just poor management from the interim committee. It is just a matter of making outstanding payments to the authorities in Dambulla and the ground will be available.”The government-appointed interim board had sent the Indian board a request to accept change of venue from Dambulla to Colombo as they feared sabotage to the stadium if de Silva’s group loses the elections this Saturday. De Silva is backed by Thilanga Sumathipala, the former president of the board, who was thrown out of office by the government and replaced with the interim committee last year.According to the original schedule the first four matches of the tri-series, from August 14 to August 29, were to be held in Dambulla, while Colombo would host the final two matches.The two Tests against South Africa beginning July 27 are also scheduled to be played in Colombo, though it is not yet sure whether they will be shifted to a neutral venue.

Warne: ‘Australia against England is what it is all about’ © Getty Images

Shane Warne is ready for the challenge of the Ashes series and has told England they should get used to losing again. He believes Australia are peaking at the right time after a difficult start to the tour. But he said this England team is impressive and, for the first time in a long time, the players have a genuine right to think they have a chance this summer.”Australia have played extremely well in the last couple of one-dayers and I think they have just started to peak at the right time,” Warne told a packed press conference at the team hotel in London. “A few players have started to hit their straps before the Test series, which is a good sign. The Supersubs have obviously favoured the side bowling first every time but Australia have won the toss in the last two games and have played some good cricket.”Warne said the hype around this Ashes series is justified by England’s recent winning form and it differs from the build-up to previous contests. “If anyone thought it was just a bit of hype about England playing Australia, the way they have played has shown they are up for a scrap, they are ready to get into our face and start fighting.”The expectation has always been high from all the England people, because they went unbeaten last year and they think they have got a side which can compete for the Ashes for the first time since 1989. Sixteen years is a long time to really not be in a contest. All the hype with the other contests has been because they thought they had a chance but deep down they knew they didn’t really. But this time they have a realistic chance.”Warne has been warming-up for the series at Hampshire and has formed a strong friendship with Kevin Pietersen, who he believes has to play. The major debate about England’s team has been whether Pietersen should replace Graham Thorpe, but Warne said the decision did not have to be that cut and dried.”They have got to make room for him, he is the most destructive player in England,” he said. “Kevin and Flintoff are both destructive but I think Kevin has that X factor. I played against him a couple of times last year and when I’ve seen him first hand for Hampshire this year, there is just something, he just has that thing you can’t quite but your finger on.”Why can’t they have Thorpe at five, Pietersen at six, Flintoff at seven, Jones at eight then Giles and two quicks. You still have Flintoff as your third seamer, you have four bowlers and some part-timers, so who says you can’t fit them all in?”However, he was quick to start the mind games, saying that he would be happy whoever he bowls against, and would enjoy Thorpe, who he has dismissed nine times in Tests. “Of course I’d rather Thorpe plays because I’ve got him out more times,” he said, “and sometimes you need experience as well.”This is likely to be Warne’s last Ashes series in England – he will be 40 by the time the next one comes around – and the Anglo-Australian contest is the ultimate for him and any other Australian player. “Suddenly England have something to cheer about and I think when No. 1 plays No. 2 it always brings out good entertaining cricket. Australia against England is what it is all about,” he said.”You can give me whatever other series you like. India, Pakistan, yes they are all great series, but to me the Ashes has always been the one and I think if you ask the guys coming over here it’s something special. It always brings out the best in the Australian sides and I can’t see it being any different this time.”

Scorecard

Nuwan Zoysa – three wickets and 47 not out © Getty Images

Although the series was already lost, Sri Lanka salvaged some pride with a three-wicket victory against a weakened Australia outfit at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Their bowlers first restricted Australia to a modest 198 for 7 on a fine batting strip and then, powered by a magnificent 66-run stand for the eighth wicket between Nuwan Zoysa and Russel Arnold, sneaked home with 13 balls to spare.Zoysa was the undisputed star of the show with bat and ball. In the morning he started Australia’s problems, nipping out both openers before finishing with 3 for 34. Then, in the afternoon, when all but the most loyal Sri Lanka fan had given up hope at 136 for 7, Zoysa smashed 47 from 42 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, to carry Sri Lanka home.Sri Lanka had made a shaky start to their run-chase. Marvan Atapattu, who could have been dismissed off the first two balls of the innings as he swished at wide outswingers from Brett Lee, was bowled through the gate by an inswinger from Michael Kasprowicz (2 for 1).Sanath Jayasuriya avoided a third consecutive duck – his first run wascheered to the rafters by an excitable Sunday crowd – but Lee, who bowled aggressively and also swung the new ball wickedly, cramped him for room with a short one and Brad Williams pouched a simple catch running in from long leg (27 for 2).Kumar Sangakkara, meanwhile, was riding his luck. He was perilously close to being lbw first ball to Kasprowicz and Lee’s appeal shortly after was even closer. But he soon found his feet and counterattacked in the same thrilling vein that proved so successful on Friday night.

Brad Hogg did a fine job at the end of Australia’s innings © Getty Images

Lee was punched through the off side and then cut savagely over point.Kasprowicz was clipped through the leg side and then flat-batted through the covers. Sri Lanka sped past fifty in the 12th over. When Brad Hogg entered the fray, Sangakkara charged down the wicket and lofted back over the bowler’s head.Mahela Jayawardene was also playing positively, hitting four fours inhis 30-ball 21, as 60 runs were added in 63 balls. Brad Williams, though, briefly silenced the noisy 15,000-strong crowd as Jayawardene edged to slip. Moments later, Sangakkara was bowled behind his legs by Hogg having scored 37 from 41 balls with seven fours and at 91 for 4 the match was back in the balance.Saman Jayantha (23) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (15) added 26 in 37 balls, with Jayantha hitting four fours, before Michael Kasprowicz, recalled to the attack, nipped a delivery back through Jayantha’s defenses. Gilchrist’s next bowling change was also successful as Andrew Symonds deceived Dilshan with a classic offbreak that jack-knifed back through the gate (126 for 6).The innings ground to a halt as Russel Arnold, under intense pressure as he fought for his place in the side, tried to consolidate. Upul Chandana, normally such a perky player, was also becalmed as only 10 runs were added in 37 balls. Gilchrist pulled in his field and Chandana duly obliged with a gloved catch to short leg (136 for 7).But gradually Zoysa and Arnold started to knit together a partnership. The runs came in a slow trickle at the start but the momentum startedto swing Sri Lanka’s way. Finally, moments after Williams had spilled a diving catch off a legside flick, Zoysa cut free, pulling Lee for a six and a four during the 44th over of the innings. He followed up with a magnificent straight six off Hogg, and kept the momentum going thereafter, surging home with a legside boundary.In the morning, Zoysa had created the problems on a fresh surface, whipping out Adam Gilchrist and Brad Haddin. Haddin (9) mistimed a straight drive and skied a towering catch to Sanath Jayasuriya at mid-off. Gilchrist (18), the acting captain with Ricky Ponting resting, was trapped plumb lbw (34 for 2).Katich (10), playing his first game of the series, and Michael Clarke,batting at No. 3, started to consolidate with a 21-run stand in 32 balls before Zoysa starred again, this time with a sharp pick-up and inch-perfect throw from third man to run out Katich who was returning for a second (55 for 3).Following Zoysa and Kulasekera’s excellent opening spells, Atapattu turned to his slow bowlers. Upul Chandana found immediate turn for his legbreaks and Tillakaratne Dilshan came perilously close to trapping Damien Martyn lbw on 5.

Australia’s batsmen found the going hard against spin © Getty Images

But Martyn and Michael Clarke added 31 in 52 balls and Atapattu finallytossed the ball to Muralitharan in the 23rd over the innings. Clarke, trying to hammer a rare short delivery, top edged a spiralling catch to Dilshan sprinting back from midwicket (86 for 4).Muralitharan then grabbed his 350th one-day wicket as Michael Bevan prodded at an offbreak and edged to Jayawardene at slip. Muralitharan was whipped out of the attack and Chandana, his replacement, struck with his second ball back as Martyn was bowled for a 63-ball 38 (120 for 6).Symonds (40) and Brag Hogg (35 not out) partially repaired the damage with a 76-run stand to lift Australia to a modest but defendable total. When Sri Lanka’s middle order collapsed it looked like the crucial stand of the match. But Zoysa, back in the side after an 18-month absence, was reading a different script.

Now that New Zealand have done the hard work, they can’t afford to let their momentum slip when playing the minnows of Canada and Bangladesh in their remaining games at the World Cup.The prospective loss of points from the Kenya game allows no margin for error and while New Zealand should be safe from missing the Super Six, the issue is still not beyond doubt.Every possible advantage in terms of run rate must be utilised by the TelstraClear Black Caps, and at the same time that involves ensuring that some of the key players for the later matches get quality time in the middle.New Zealand has had a great challenge in the first three games of their tournament, but they are not even halfway up the mountain yet.Yesterday’s outstanding win over South Africa highlighted the ability in the side.This was one of the great fightbacks.It may be that some look at the Duckworth/Lewis involvement and claim that it helped New Zealand.To do so would be to ignore the basic fact.New Zealand were so far in front of the D/L requirement that once the game was reduced to 39 overs they were never in danger of missing out on a win.Often, the D/L method has been criticised because it favours the team batting first.But those with memories long enough to recall what happened when teams batting second in the past were virtually handed matches without having to work for victory will appreciate that here was a classic example of using the method to advantage.New Zealand put such outstanding pressure on the vaunted South African attack that the home team were baffled and didn’t really have a response.New Zealand teams in the past have not generally provided these sorts of problems for South Africa.It was a classic example of everything coming right on the day, with the obvious key point being captain Stephen Fleming’s outstanding innings. There were signs during the Indian series at home, that there was greater things around the corner from the captain, more from the types of shots he was playing, than from anything else.That was borne out from some of the classical strokes he played so effortlessly, with the great advantage of timing, during his 134 not out.There is something to be said also, for the quietly assured approach Nathan Astle has been taking in the matches against the West Indies and South Africa.Two 40-plus scores with an increasing confidence in stroke making suggests he is much more comfortable on the World Cup stage than has previously been the case in his career.The signs are better from a batting perspective.The bowling was put to the sword by the South Africans, but clearly the pitch was a factor in that as evidenced by the home team suffering similarly. What is needed is for more bowling consistency in the remaining pool games.It is also to be hoped that the back spasms suffered by Daniel Vettori are not something that New Zealand cricket overall should be worrying about after the problems he suffered three years ago.Fleming’s men have seized the initiative, the challenge ahead of them is to make sure they do not repeat the fault of many of their predecessors and let it go.

Northamptonshire were able to shrug off the challenge of the county’s own Board XI by nine wickets at Wantage Road, despite a magnificent century from Academy batsman David Paynter.The 20-year-old great-grandson of 1930s England stalwart Eddie Paynter cracked 17 fours in his 104 off 106 balls, posting 159 for the first wicket with his opening partner Tim Coleman (68).But although the Board team’s total of 277-6 exceeded all expectations, it was not enough as the full-timers breezed to their target at 278-1 with 8.4 overs to spare thanks to man-of-the-match Mal Loye’s unbeaten 124 from 122 balls.Paynter, Cornish-born but Yorkshire-raised, laid into the county attack with relish at the start, and received excellent support from Coleman who scores heavily in the Northants Championship league for Finedon Dolben.Even with the openers gone, the Board XI pressed on purposefully thanks to David Roberts – released by Northants midway through last summer – who thrashed 40 off 27 balls, and another Academy batsman Jamie Wade (38).But the Board’s bowlers then struggled in vain to restrict Loye and Mike Hussey (59), the pair picking off runs easily on their way to a stand of 125 in 20 overs.Hussey holed out off Martyn Dobson before Loye, who hit a six and 15 fours, and Russell Warren (70 not out) made the match safe by adding an unbroken 153 for the second wicket – a new Northants record in the 38-year history of the competition.

	Lendl Simmons’ hit his third first-class hundred to give T&T a clear advantage over Barbados © Trinidad & Tobago Express

ScorecardLendl Simmons’ third first-class hundred gave Trinidad and Tobago a significant advantage over Barbados on the second day of their final-round Carib Beer Series match at Guaracara Park. Backed by some top bowling and fielding T&T ended in a great position to defend their title against Carib Cup champions Jamaica; by stumps they had a 267-run lead over Barbados, who were bowled out for 184.Simmons, 23, resumed on 63 and buckled down to score 126 from 279 balls, with nine fours and a six, out of T&T’s 420. He shared in a ninth-wicket partnership of 98 in 91 minutes with Ravi Rampaul (38). Simmons, batting at No.4, was last man out to give left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn his fourth wicket.T&T then secured a 236-run lead – and four first-innings points – by dismissing Barbados for 184. Richard Kelly set the ball in motion with the wicket of opener Jason Haynes for 8 and offspinner Amit Jaggernauth and Rayad Emrit each took three wickets. Dwayne Smith (39) got a start but fell just before tea, caught behind off Dave Mohammed.Daren Ganga, T&T’s captain, decided not to enforce the follow-on and his team finished on 31 for 0 going into the third day.
ScorecardPace bowler Gavin Tonge took four wickets to put Leeward Islands in control against Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) on the second day at Grove Park. CCC could only manage 248 in reply to Leewards’ first-innings 418 and trailed by 252 at stumps as they reached 82 for 0.Resuming on 402 for 8 Leewards were aided by Tonito Willett’s 67 but could only add 16 as legspinner Gavin Wallace finished with 6 for 108 from 32.2 overs. Simon Jackson and Omar Philips, CCC’s openers, then launched a stirring attack to get their side to lunch at 71 for 0. CCC’s 50 came up in just 5.4 overs and Jackson had 55 to his name by the break as compared to Philips’ 5. The duo added 122 before Jackson fell for a 49-ball 75; from there on wickets fell at regular intervals.The veteran Floyd Reifer (26) and Chadwick Walton (32) restored the innings with a fourth-wicket stand of 52 but CCC lost seven for 51 after they were separated. Tonge, a right-arm fast-medium bowler, claimed 4 for 66 from 11 overs, backed up by Brent Defreitas’ 2 for 29.With a 170-run lead garnered, Kieran Powell and Shane Jeffers proceeded to extend Leewards’ position with an 82-run opening stand. Powell was unbeaten on 52 after top-scoring with 85 in the first innings.
ScorecardTravis Dowlin celebrated his appointment as Guyana captain by hitting an unbeaten 121 as the hosts dominated the Windward Islands on the opening day at the Providence Stadium. Guyana finished on 312 for 3 after opting to bat on a slow track and with Dowlin was Shivnarine Chanderpaul, just 22 runs away from a 44th first-class century.Dowlin and Chanderpaul came together at 161 for 3 and put on 151. Dowlin hit 14 fours during his 208-ball effort and Chanderpaul had six fours and three sixes in his 72 from 116 balls.Dowlin, 31, also put on 106 with former West Indies Under- 19 captain Leon Johnson (46) after Guyana played out a watchful first session. Krishna Arjune was the first to go, bowled by Mervin Matthew for 18 in the first hour and Sewnarine Chattergoon went for 27 from 72 balls shortly before lunch. From there on Dowlin took charge and along with Chanderpaul, totally dominated the last session.The game was scheduled to start on Friday but due to the late arrival of the luggage of the Windward Islands team, the opening day had to be delayed by a day.

England hope that a less packed schedule ahead of future World Cups will give their fans something to cheer about © Getty Images

Ashes Test series in Australia are set to be rescheduled so they don’t take place just before the World Cup, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.David Collier said he was in discussion with his Cricket Australia counterpart, James Sutherland, and they would soon be putting forward proposals to their respective boards. Collier insisted England were “locked in” to their current programme until 2011 because of agreements already in place with other boards.England are due to host an Ashes series in 2013. Breaking the cycle so the next Ashes in Australia didn’t lead up to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand could see them played in 2012. But Collier said clashing with the London Olympics in 2012 would be “suicide” and that the series would be shifted forward instead to 2014.England have never won the World Cup and there is a feeling within English cricket their chances were being hampered by a lead-in of a busy home programme followed by an Ashes tour. Australia’s hectic summer of cricket in 2006-07 did not seem to affect their World Cup efforts, however, as they went through the tournament undefeated.